Paul closes in on Gingrich  —  There has been some major movement in the Republican Presidential race in Iowa over the last week, with what was a 9 point lead for Newt Gingrich now all the way down to a single point.  Gingrich is at 22% to 21% for Paul with Mitt Romney at 16% …

Swing States Poll: Downbeat Dems, resurgent Republicans  —  WASHINGTON - President Obama is moving to energize the Democratic base for his re-election campaign, but in the case of a dozen battleground states, he'll have to work harder than four years ago to find it.

Axelrod on Newt: “the higher a monkey climbs...the more you can see his butt.”  —  Obama 2012 Press Secretary Ben LaBolt, Strategist David Axelrod, Campaign Manager Jim Messina, Deputy Manager Stephanie Cutter at Tuesday press briefing at the DNC.  (photo by Lynn Sweet)

Republican leaders say they'll have the votes to pass payroll-tax bill  —  House Republican leaders on Tuesday predicted they will have the votes to pass legislation to extend a payroll tax cut.  —  The leaders are “close” to securing enough support to pass the bill, members leaving a closed-door GOP conference meeting said Tuesday.

Chelsea Clinton makes broadcast debut on NBC's ‘Rock Center’  —  It's no surprise whatsoever that Chelsea Clinton didn't electrify broadcast journalism with her debut Monday night on NBC's “Rock Center With Brian Williams,” because she has no experience in broadcast journalism.

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November suggests that the economy has been expanding moderately, notwithstanding some apparent slowing in global growth.  While indicators point to some improvement in overall labor market conditions, the unemployment rate remains elevated.

Opinion: Obama would rather be university professor than president  —  After observing President Obama for the last three years, it has become obvious to me that the President might prefer to be a university professor rather than do the job he holds today.  While he may not realize that he feels …

SCARBOROUGH: ROMNEY LOOKING MORE LIKABLE — Michael Duffy promoted - Perry Bacon leaves WashPost - What Peter Watkins is up to - ABC's ‘This Week’ unveils debate series  —  WEST WING MINDMELD: “On Sunday, the President spoke to Senator Reid, and they decided that Congress cannot go home …

Belgium grenade attack: latest  —  At least two people have been killed and dozens wounded when up to four grenades exploded outside the main courthouse in the eastern Belgian city of Liege.  —  The scene of the grenade attack in Liege … Live  —  15.51 In another shocking attack in Europe today …

Protests growing against Lowe's  —  The drumbeat is growing to get hardware chain Lowe's to apologize for pulling advertising from TLC's “All-American Muslim,” as a leading liberal group announced a petition-drive and a Democratic lawmaker denounced the home improvement store on the House floor.

NY federal court showdown set over pregnancy pill  —  NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in Brooklyn is poised to hear arguments Tuesday over whether the federal government is acting constitutionally in its decisions over the access teenage girls are given to morning-after contraceptive pills.

Millionaires on Food Stamps and Jobless Pay?  G.O.P. Is on It  —  WASHINGTON — It's an image many Americans would find rather upsetting: a recently laid-off millionaire, luxuriating next to the pool eating grapes bought with food stamps while waiting for an unemployment check to roll in.

NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving  —  Washington (CNN) — Federal accident investigators Tuesday called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving.  —  Study: Half of young people text, drive

Blunt defeats Johnson in race for Senate GOP leadership post  —  Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.), a veteran of Republican leadership circles, defeated Tea Party favorite Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to become vice chairman of the Senate GOP Conference.  —  He was elected to the fifth-ranking post …

Gingrich misses a McCain moment  —  John McCain in 2008 took the occasional strange, xenophobic question about Barack Obama, and routinely batted them back: Obama wasn't scary, or (God forbid!) “an Arab,” as one woman memorably told him.  He was a decent family man, just wrong on the issues.

Rep. Issa asks Obama official why illegal camping of Occupy DC was permitted  —  Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on Tuesday announced he wants answers on whether “political judgments played a role” in allowing Occupy D.C. protesters to remain camped in Northwest Washington.

Eric Holder wades into debate over voting rights as presidential election nears  —  The Obama administration on Tuesday will wade into the increasingly divisive national debate over new voting laws in several states that could depress turnout among minorities and others who helped elect the president in 2008.

Scarborough: Like Beck, I'd Consider Third-Party Ron Paul Over Gingrich  —  Today's Morning Joe has been one long festival of Gingrich gouging.  —  Joe Scarborough set the tone early.  During the opening segment Scarborough announced that, like Glenn Beck, if the choice comes down to Obama vs. Gingrich …